Thomas A. Barrett, M.D.

(Part 2 of 2)
Options for treating arthritic knee pain begin with a diagnosis and a conversation about what particular problems any one person is experiencing. Non-operative management can be successful and is always part of a plan of treatment.

There may come a time when conservative treatment is no longer helping and the conversation changes to other options.

Knee replacement surgery is a part of a treatment plan. The timing of when it is appropriate has a number of components.

1.Any person undergoing a knee replacement needs to need it. (Seems logical enough….but this includes excluding other potential causes of pain and a conservative trial)
2.Any person having an elective surgery has to be healthy enough to undergo the procedure. (This reassurance is obtained by having a primary care provider/ specialist assist in a pre-op evaluation)
3.Any person having their knee reconstructed has to actively participate in their own recovery.

Recognizing a knee problem can occur at any time. Arthritic knee problems may be related to previous injury, demands placed on it over a lifetime, or a family predisposition.

When to seek help is usually prompted by either severe pain or just that nagging ache that won’t resolve. There are a number of ‘over-the-counter’ remedies that most of us try at some point. Taking time out for a doctor appointment is saved for when other options don’t seem to make much headway toward resolving the problem.

Arthritic pain can become more than an annoyance for some. Giving up activities or declining invitations because the knee won’t “make it” are common concerns. In the worst cases even a good night’s sleep can be difficult.